IDL Construction Changes To Affect Weekend Traffic

Starting this weekend, work on the northwest side of the IDL will effect motorists the most.

The IDL construction project is right on schedule, according to an ODOT project manager.

By Emory Bryan, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- The huge reconstruction job on the Inner Dispersal Loop continues, and there are some changes taking place for drivers. They'll find several closed exits and detours this weekend.

The work started over on the west side of downtown, but this weekend - and through next week - the work on the northwest side will be impacting drivers the most.

The heavy construction continues on the Inner Dispersal Loop - as ODOT reaches the level of 30% completion. The work is in the westbound lanes - on the north and west side of downtown.

"And we're very close to finishing the west leg," said Jennifer Tyler, ODOT Project Manager.

The project manager says it's right on schedule and weather hasn't slowed them down.

"We're actually still right on schedule, we're still planning in February the southbound direction, then in April we're planning to switch to the east direction, so we'll have the entire West bound direction finished," Tyler said.

Before then - ODOT has to finish up the 20 bridges that are being rebuilt in this phase of the project. All have been torn down; some have been re-decked, and concrete has been poured on several.

While traffic continues to go around the project in the opposite direction, some new but temporary lane changes and closed exits will be in effect for the next few days.

"We have the first street exit closed from yesterday through next Wednesday. We're going to be welding over first street, and we didn't want to impact any motorists," said Jennifer Tyler, ODT Project Manager.

ODOT has made the most progress on the west side of downtown, and that will be first section of the project to re-open.

Some new lane closures will run through the weekend, affecting traffic on the northwest corner of the IDL.

Exact lane closure times:

The left lane of eastbound US Highway 412 under the west leg of the IDL (NW corner) is closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday

The eastbound US Highway 412 off-ramps to north and southbound US Highway 75 (NW corner) will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Drivers can continue on eastbound I-244 to Delaware Ave., exit and then get onto westbound I-244 for access to northbound and southbound US-75